Mounting means for plow sweep

ABSTRACT

A plow sweep having its median upper edge portion equipped with an integral upstanding adapter sleeve which is channel-shaped in cross section and embodies a web which is imperforate and opposed spaced parallel lateral marginal flanges. A conventional type shank has a lower end portion conformingly lodged in and filling and removably seated in the channel between the flanges. A median portion of the web has a rigid keeper stud which projects laterally and telescopingly into a bolt hole in an oriented position of the shank in a manner to hold the shank in place and, with the flanges, to hold the same against vertical displacement. A manually insertable and removable shank fastening pin bridges and retains and binds the shank in the channel and is specially constructed, as will be revealed, and means is provided on the flanges for operatively mounting the pin on said flanges in such a way that the pin well serves its clamping purpose.

United States Patent Gondeiro MOUNTING MEANS FOR PLOW SWEEP Glenn Gondelro, Box 16, Sun River, Mont. 59483 {76] Inventor:

[52] U.S. Cl. 172/751, 172/762 [51] Int. Cl A011) 15/00 [58] Field of Search 172/762, 776, 751; 306/16 [56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,757,595 8/1956 Clifford et al. 172/762 2,737,103 3/1956 Renault 172/762 1,671,664 5/1928 Baxter 172/751 X 3,542,138 11/1970 Fackler et al... 172/776 2,704,499 3/1955 Radway 172/762 X 3,156,307 1l/1964 Bledsoe. 172/762 X 325,421 9/1885 Lilly 306/1.6

Ey ET Jacobson ABSTRACT A plow sweep having its median upper edge portion equipped with an integral upstanding adapter sleeve which is channel-shaped in cross section and embodies a web which is imperforate and opposed spaced parallel lateral marginal flanges. A conventional type shank has a lower end portion conformingly lodged in and filling and removably seated in the channel between the flanges. A median portion of the web has a rigid keeper stud which projects laterally and telescopingly into a bolt hole in an oriented position of the shank in a manner to hold the shank in place and, with the flanges, to hold the same against vertical displacement. A manually insertable and removable shank fastening pin bridges and retains and binds the shank in the channel and is specially constructed, as will be revealed, and means is provided on the flanges for operatively mounting the pin on said flanges in such a way that the pin well serves its clamping purpose.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures MOUNTING MEANS FOR PLOW SWEEP The present invention pertains to certain new and useful improvements in a plow sweep or shovel and which features self-contained innovations which obviate the need for bolting the coacting end portion of the shank to the sweep.

In keeping with prevailing practice the regularly used or conventional shank and currently usable sweep must be bolted together using two bolts and accompanying nuts. Manifestly, time and labor is required to assure that the coordination and assembling of the parts is reliably secure. This assembly usually results in the misplacement or loss of bolts and nuts and is often further complicated by freezing of the nuts to the bolts. In carrying out the principles of the present invention the shank itself is standard or conventional and requires no structural changes. The improved sweep and the unique features characterizing it result in a saving in time and labor keeping in mind that the changes and improvements which are utilized herein pertain to the upper portion of the sweep and assembling and retaining means.

An object of the concept, somewhat generally stated,

is to improve upon and reduce the number of parts entering into the combination, thereby not only increasing the efficiency of the structure as a whole, but also rendering the same less costly to manufacture and to otherwise simplify factors of assembling, repair, sale and handling.

For background purposes attention is directed to the shovel fastener cultivators disclosed in a patent to G. W. Lilly, US. Pat. No. 325,421 and which broadly stated pertains to provisionswhich are made for adjusting the shovel to occupy different positions laterally and also at different depths but which, structurally and functionally, is readily and appreciably distinct and different from the advance in the art herein comprehended. John P. Stanza, 1,037,355 is also mentioned here because of the fact that it shows a sleeve-like sheath receiving an end portion of a hollow shank or standard and wherein opposed ears are clampingly secured in retaining position by bolt and nut means. The clamping result is dependent solely on two ears drawn together around the shank by a single bolt and nut assembly and the nut must be sufficiently tight on the bolt that the shank will not slide vertically and so that the nut will not work off the bolt. In practical use the nut and bolt will corrode and time and effort is necessary to remove the same. As above mentioned the present invention is thought to be an advance in the art which will meet with the requirements of manufacturers, retailers and others and well serve the purposes of users.

Briefly the essence of the instant concept has to do with a plow sweep having an upper median edge portion which is fashioned with an integral up-standing adapter, that is, an adapter sleeve which is channelshaped for reception and anchored retention of a lower end portion of a conventional sweep mounting and supporting shank. The sleeve embodies an imperforate web the median interior surface portion of which is provided with a right angularly projecting rigid stud which is here utilized as a keeper in that it is adapted to be telescopingly plugged removably into a bolt hole, that is a bolt hole which already exists in the shank. The sleeve has spaced parallel flanges of a width commensurate with the length of the assembling stud. A pair of first and second ear-like pin-accommodating supporting plates are integral and flush with the respectively oriented flanges. These plates have opposed and registrably aligned bearing holes. The bearing hole in the first plate is circular and of a prescribed diameter. The complemental hole in the second plate is non-circular and of a size similar to the size of the first-named hole and has one marginal edge flattened. These holes serve to accommodate amanually insertable and removable shank bridging and securing pin which bridges the space between the plates and has portions coordinated in retentive coaction with the holes. Briefly the pin has an enlarged gripping and turning head at one end which can be turned by hand or with the use of pliers if necessary. It has a cylindrical piloting and journaling end at the end opposite the head which is tumably fitted into a bearing hole in the first plate and projects a short distance. A similar journal is arranged immediately adjacent the head and is tumable in a portion of the bearing hole associated therewith. That portion of the peripheral surface of the median portion of the pin has an integral outstanding block-like lug or cam and the cam has a flat friction-binding face and when in use in a properly set position clears the aforementioned flat marginal edge and bridges and clampingly binds the shank in its intended anchored ready-to-operate position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view in section and elevation showing the improved sweep, lower portion of the shank and how the cam achieves the binding and fastening step;

FIG. 2 is a view taken approximately on the plane of the horizontal section line 22 of FIG. 1 looking in the direction of the indicating arrows; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the component parts in their ready-to-assemble relationship.

With reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2 it will be seen that the sweep is denoted by the numeral 6 and can be said to be, generally speaking, of somewhat conventional form in that it embodies a body portion 8 with flaring wings l0. On the other hand the median upper edge portion is improved in that it is fashioned into and provides an upstanding channel-shaped adapter 12 for the lower end portion 14 of the terminally bevelled portion 16 of the shank. The shank is solid and of a conventional type as denoted at 18. In fact, the shank is not changed insofar as the present contribution to the art is concerned. Normally there are two bolt holes but only one is shown here as at 20. It performs the purpose of a keeper, that is in the combination set forth.

With further respect to the adapter, it comprises a web 22 which is imperforate and whose median portion 24 is provided on an interior side with a welded laterally projecting stud 26 which is here described as a keeper in that it is fitted telescopingly into the keeper hole 20. In addition to the pin 26 fitting into the hole 20, the vertical spaced parallel side flanges 28 stabilize the given position of the shank. It is of significance to note that the median edge portions 30 of the respective flanges 28 are provided with spaced parallel opposed first and second ear-like plates. For convenience the first plate is denoted by the numeral 32 and has a circular hole 34 therein which is of predetermined diameter. This plate, like the second plate 36, is spaced slightly downward from the upper end of the coacting flange. The hole in the second plate or ear is denoted by the numeral 38 and it has a flat bottom edge 40.

These ear-like plates and holes therein serve to accommodate the insertable and removable selfcontained assembling and locking pin 42. This pin has a piloting cylindrical end portion 44 which is fitted into the hole 34 and when in use extends slightly beyond the same as brought out in FIG. 2. The opposite or lefthand end in FIG. 3 is provided with an enlarged tool gripping head 46 and just inwardly of the head the pin is also smooth and circular in cross section as at 48 to provide a second journal. Thus the piloting journal is at 40 and cooperates with the hole 34 while the other journal is rotatable in the opening 38. A median peripheral surface portion of the pin is provided with an elongated lug or integral block 50 which has flat faces 52, 54 and 56. This component part is of a cross-sectional width corresponding to the cross section of the pin 42. When the pin is inserted in place as shown in both FIGS. 1 and 2, that is fitted into the openings 38 and 34 and is properly turned, the face 54 bears frictionally against and clamps the coacting surface or face of the shank in the manner illustrated. The flattened lower portion 40 permits the pin to be bodily inserted and then given a suitable turn to bring the fastening cam 50 into its intended binding and clamping position. The sweep is attached to the shank briefly in the following manner. The shank fits in such fashion that the upper bolt hole is set on the projecting keeper stud 26. The shank rests between the two ear-like bearing plates, that is the first and second plates 32 and 36 and between the back surface of the sleeve and bearing holes. The cam or lug is then passed through the bearing hole 38 with the flattened surface and with the circular portion generally in contact with the shank. The cam then passes through the other bearing hole and is then turned so that the flat surfaced portion thereof is in contact with the shank. The cam is prevented from rotating because of the flat surfaces and it is prevented from working out of the bearing holes by the head on the pin on the outer side of the flattened bearing hole and by the projecting edges of the raised portion of the cam on the other side of the flattened bearing hole.

It is to be pointed out that the adaptation herein shown and described has been actually constructed and successfully used. To the ends desired the user may employ existing shanks, that is without alteration. The sweep is interchangeable on standard or conventional type shanks without modification of the shank itself. in prior art adaptations in which the shank must be structurally changed or modified the user must, if he desires to interchange the sweep and equipment have a modified shank on all equipment or be prepared to change not only the sweep but the shank too. in the present invention experience has shown that the cam is easily accessible for rapid change of the sweep. Then, too, a minimum number of parts are required and employed; namely, a conventional standard or shank, the structurally improved unified sweep and the insertable and removable cam. It follows that the sweep can be connected or disconnected with ease and well serves the purposes for which it has been devised and successfully employed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination, a plow sweep having an upper edge portion provided with an integral upstanding adapter sleeve which is channel-shaped in cross section and embodies a web and opposed spaced parallel lat eral marginal flanges, a conventional-type shank having a lower end portion conformingly lodged but remove ably seated in the channel existing between said flanges, a median portion of said web having a laterally projecting rigid keeper stud plugged into an openended bolt hole provided therefor in an oriented portion of said shank in a manner to anchor and hold the shank in place in said adapter sleeve and guard against undesirable vertical displacement of said shank, said flanges assisting in limiting lateral shifting of the shank in said channel-shaped sleeve, a manually insertable and removable shank fastening pin bridging and retentively binding said shank in said sleeve, and means on said flanges operatively mounting said pin on said flanges, said means comprising a pair of companion first and second ear-like pin accommodating and supporting plates integral with and projecting from median marginal edge portions of the respectively cooperable flanges, said plates having aligned bearing holes in which coacting end portions of said pin are insertably and removably positioned and rotatably but retentively supported, the bearing hole in said first plate being circular and of a predetermined diameter comparable with said piloting journal and the bearing hole in said second plate being non-circular, of a predetermined required size and having a flat marginal portion on one side, said pin having an enlarged gripping and turning head at that end adjacent to and exteriorly of the second ear-like pin supporting plate whereby it can be turned by hand or, if necessary, by pliers or a similar hand tool, said pin having a cylindrical piloting journal at its other end fitting turnably into the bearing hole in said first plate and projecting a short distance beyond said plate, a similar cylindrical journal immediately adjacent said head turnable in the adjacent bearing, that portion of the peripheral surface of the median portion of the pin having an integral outstanding elongated cam, said cam having flat friction binding faces and, when in a prescribed properly set position, bridging and clampingly binding and retaining said shank in a given plow sweep operating position.

2. The combination defined in and according to claim 1, said cam being lug-like and of a cross-sectional dimension comparable to the cross section of the main body portion of said pin and of a length slightly less than the distance between said ear-like pin supporting plates.

3. The combination defined in and according to claim 2 and where-in said stud is of a length equal to the length of said bolt hole, said bearing holes and shank fastening pin being in a plane level with said keeper stud.

} 4. A plow sweep having an upper median edge portion formed with an upstanding adapter sleeve channel for reception and anchored retention of a lower end portion of a conventional plow sweep mounting and supporting shank, said sleeve embodying an imperforate web whose median portion is provided with a right angularly projecting rigid stud of a length equal to the depth of said channel and constituting a keeper and adapted to be plugged removably but retentively in an open-ended bolt hole existing in said shank, said sleeve having spaced parallel flanges of a width commensurate in length with the length of said stud, a pair of first and second ear-like pin accommodating and supporting plates integral and flush with the respectively oriented flanges, said plates having confronting registrably aligned bearing holes, the bearing hole in the first plate being circular and of prescribed diameter, the hole in said second plate being non-circular, of a size similar to the size of the first-named hole and having one marginal edge straight across and flat, and a manually insertable and removable shank-bridging and securing pin spanning the space between said plates and having portions associatively cooperable with said bearing holes, said pin having an enlarged gripping and turning head at that end adjacent to and available for use exteriorly of the second ear-like pin supporting plate whereby it can be turned by hand or, if necessary, by pliers or a similar hand tool, said pin having a cylindrical piloting journal at its other end fitting tumably into the bearing hole in said first plate and projecting a short distance beyond said last-named bearing hole, a similar cylindrical journal immediately adjacent said head turnable in the adjact bearing, that portion of the peripheral surface of the median portion of the pin situated between said plates having an integral outstanding elongated cam, said cam having flat friction binding faces and, when in set position bridging and clampingly binding and retaining said shank in a given plow sweep mounting and operating position.

=l =l= l 

1. In combination, a plow sweep having an upper edge portion provided with an integral upstanding adapter sleeve which is channel-shaped in cross section and embodies a web and opposed spaced parallel lateral marginal flanges, a conventional-type shank having a lower end portion conformingly lodged but removably seated in the channel existing between said flanges, a median portion of said web having a laterally projecting rigid keeper stud plugged into an open-ended bolt hole provided therefor in an oriented portion of said shank in a manner to anchor and hold the shank in place in said adapter sleeve and guard against undesirable vertical displacement of said shank, said flanges assisting in limiting lateral shifting of the shank in said channel-shaped sleeve, a manually insertable and removable shank fastening pin bridging and retentively binding said shank in said sleeve, and means on said flanges operatively mounting said pin on said flanges, said means comprising a pair of companion first and second ear-like pin accommodating and supporting plates integral with and projecting from median marginal edge portions of the respectively cooperable flanges, said plates having aligned bearing holes in which coacting end portions of said pin are insertably and removably positioned and rotatably but retentively supported, the bearing hole in said first plate being circular and of a predetermined diameter comparable with said piloting journal and the bearing hole in said second plate being non-circular, of a predetermined required size and having a flat marginal portion on one side, said pin having an enlarged gripping and turning head at that end adjacent to and exteriorly of the second ear-like pin supporting plate whereby it can be turned by hand or, if necessary, by pliers or a similar hand tool, said pin having a cylindrical piloting journal at its other end fitting turnably into the bearing hole in said first plate and projecting a short distance beyond said plate, a similar cylindrical journal immediately adjacent said head turnable in the adjacent bearing, that portion of the peripheral surface of the median portion of the pin having an integral outstanding elongated cam, said cam having flat friction binding faces and, when in a prescribed properly set position, bridging and clampingly binding and retaining said shank in a given plow sweep operating position.
 2. The combination defined in and according to claim 1, said cam being lug-like and of a cross-sectional dimension comparable to the cross section of the main body portion of said pin and of a length slightly less than the distance between said ear-like pin supporting plates.
 3. The combination defined in and according to claim 2 and where-in said stud is of a length equal to the length of said bolt hole, said bearing holes and shank fastening pin being in a plane level with said keeper stud.
 4. A plow sweep having an upper median edge portion formed with an upstanding adapter sleeve channel for reception and anchored retention of a lower end portion of a conventional plow sweep mounting and supporting shank, said sleeve embodying an imperforate web whose median portion is provided with a right angularly projecting rigid stud of a length equal to the depth of said channel and constituting a keeper and adapted to be plugged removably but retentively in an open-ended bolt hole existing in said shank, said sleeve having spaced parallel flanges of a width comMensurate in length with the length of said stud, a pair of first and second ear-like pin accommodating and supporting plates integral and flush with the respectively oriented flanges, said plates having confronting registrably aligned bearing holes, the bearing hole in the first plate being circular and of prescribed diameter, the hole in said second plate being non-circular, of a size similar to the size of the first-named hole and having one marginal edge straight across and flat, and a manually insertable and removable shank-bridging and securing pin spanning the space between said plates and having portions associatively cooperable with said bearing holes, said pin having an enlarged gripping and turning head at that end adjacent to and available for use exteriorly of the second ear-like pin supporting plate whereby it can be turned by hand or, if necessary, by pliers or a similar hand tool, said pin having a cylindrical piloting journal at its other end fitting turnably into the bearing hole in said first plate and projecting a short distance beyond said last-named bearing hole, a similar cylindrical journal immediately adjacent said head turnable in the adjacent bearing, that portion of the peripheral surface of the median portion of the pin situated between said plates having an integral outstanding elongated cam, said cam having flat friction binding faces and, when in set position bridging and clampingly binding and retaining said shank in a given plow sweep mounting and operating position. 